Is negotiating with terrorists a good idea?

Article in today's Washington Times points out that through Sec. State Clinton, Obama is pushing a "fight, talk and build" approach in negotiating with the Haqqani Network to see if the terrorist group will negotiate in good faith. Afghan leaders say the Haqqani have ties to the Pakistani military and the US is wasting its time in attempting to negotiate. They point out that the attacks by the Haqqani on the US Embassy and the NATO base happened after negotiations began.

So, is this a good idea or is the Obama administration just spinning its wheels?

2011-11-09T09:39:29Z

Interesting answers, though I still don't know if negotiating with a terrorist who continues to perpetrate terrorist acts while negotiating is a good idea. No one seemed to address that, so I'll let the community decide which answer is best.

NJ1002011-11-07T12:13:59Z

Favorite Answer

You can't give a blanket answer. Different circumstances call for different responses. If a terrorist group was about to blowup a school with hundreds of kids inside, would you not even consider negotiating?

box of kittens2011-11-07T23:53:10Z

No.

Business & Occupation ... everyone needs have something to do, to keep them busy & occupied.

sadly, the words Business & Occupation (which literally mean busy & occupied) also mean Power and Control.

lets look at the word occupation, and use that as the basis to determine whether negotiation is realistic.

oc·cu·pa·tion (ky-pshn)
n.
1.
a. An activity that serves as one's regular source of livelihood; a vocation.
b. An activity engaged in especially as a means of passing time; an avocation.
2.
a. The act or process of holding or possessing a place.
b. The state of being held or possessed.
3.
a. Invasion, conquest, and control of a nation or territory by foreign armed forces.
b. The military government exercising control over an occupied nation or territory.

my answer to your question is No.

Edit: if using the word Business as the basis to determine whether negotiation is realistic, the answer might be Yes.

what a way to figure out the real real of the matters, huh? lol

what are they REALLY doing? are they there for Business ... or "Democracy"?

:)

Wounded Duck2011-11-07T20:15:03Z

This is called "An adult conversation". Something most today have little understanding of.

harvey lembeck jr2011-11-07T22:01:36Z

Only if you plan on killing them before they can carry out thier deadly deeds. If not kill them first and fuggetaboutit.

?2011-11-07T20:14:08Z

Lousy idea unless they are talking about surrendering.

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